Translating the vision of Kurosawa

Kurosawa Productions handed Kei Kumai the script for “The Sea Is Watching” 3 1/2 years ago, after director Akira Kurosawa’s death. Born June 1, 1930, in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, Kumai has been making films for more than 30 years. He is best known for films about social issues, showing the effect of class and gender distinctions through the eyes of the affected. “The Sea Is Watching,” released in Japan last year, was filmed in a 100-million-yen facility outside Tokyo. Wanting a real-life effect, the crew waited for a hurricane to arrive on the shores of Chiba, which they filmed to capture the look of a real storm. This interview was conducted via telephone with the assistance of a translator.

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Question: Did you know Kurosawa?

Answer: Yes, I knew him. In 1970 he made a movie called “The Dodeskaden,” and I helped him. I had wanted to meet him. And subsequently we became rather friendly. When I made a movie called “Sandakan 8,” he saw the movie and he liked it. And the Japanese academy nominated it as Japan’s submission for the American Academy Awards.

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Q: Did you feel intimidated by directing Kurosawa’s script?

A: I wasn’t intimidated at all because I had worked with famous movie directors and screenwriters many times. I am quite familiar and used to making these kinds of things. But I did have a hard time trying to realize Mr. Kurosawa’s vision and yet maintaining my own voice. He had very strong images. So I tried to bring that out and yet keep my ideas. That is where I struggled the most.

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Q: Your movies are known for their understanding and compassion for women.

A: Kurosawa himself said I was very good at capturing women. But I don’t think I am very good at it. I have tried to explain in my movies the condition of people as human beings and that means there is no difference between men and women.

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Q: The world of the geisha is one that seems glamorous on the surface yet is as difficult as the life of any prostitute. How did you attempt to convey those layers of complexity?

A: Traditionally, many movies tend to depict women -- especially Asian women -- as weak and easily swallowed by the waves in their lives. So they are depicted as desperate. I wanted to depict women as real, with the ability to dream for a happier life and also with the strength to survive and hope for the future. I wanted to show their strength and power to pursue this despite the poverty and miserable living conditions and life. This is not my own idea, but Mr. Kurosawa himself said something like that.